Divinylbenzene/maleic anhydride polymeric materials are provided that are porous and that have a BET specific surface area equal to at least 300 m2/gram. The polymeric materials typically have micropores, mesopores, or a combination thereof. The divinylbenzene/maleic anhydride polymeric materials are precursor polymers that can be hydrolyzed to polymeric materials having carboxylic acid groups.